News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.

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Friday, May 11, 2012

Donna Elvira arrives in Hoboken

May 11, 1896

Donna Elvira Marie Therese Henriette de Bourbon, second daughter and third child of Don Carlos, Carlist pretender to the Spanish throne, arrived earlier today in Hoboken, New Jersey. She had traveled from Genoa, Italy on board the German Lloyd steamship Kaiser Wilhelm II, reports the New York Times.

Donna Elvira, who is traveling incognito, was born at Geneva on July 28, 1871. She is a niece of Queen Maria Cristina of Spain, who is the regent for her young son, Alfonso XIII. Elvira is a "good looking woman, and has a pleasant voice and frank manner." She was "very plainly attired."

She spoke to a New York Times reporter as she waited on the steamship wharf for her bags to inspected. She said that her health was not food, and she had become "enervated by the climate of Italy, where her family resides."

Her doctors recommended a ocean voyage, and she had "long desired" to visit America. She is accompanied by the Countess de Lausen and Dr Arturo Grosser, her physician and a maid. They were met by Dr. R.D. Cortina, who had been "specially requested" by Elvira's family "to look after her comfort and welfare" while she remain in New York.

The doctor told the reporter that "no public importance could be attached" to Donna Elvira's visit. She traveled to the United States "in search of health and recreation," and to learn more about the country.

Donna Elvira "waited patiently" as her boxes and trunks were examined by customs officials. After, she and her party were driven to Holland House, "where a suite of apartments had been engaged for them."

As she is traveling incognito, Donna Elvira wants to "maintain the reserve," so she can travel freely and and see "what she wishes without any formality or public attention being drawn to her.

Now available for purchase: a well-researched, footnoted article on the life of Grand Duke Michael Mikahilovich of Russia, whose marriage to Countess Sophie von Merenberg was unequal, but a love match. I wrote this piece some years ago for Royalty Digest, and now again available. The price is $5.00 (and will be sent to you as a PDF). Just click on the Buy Now link for purchase. Thanks.

The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins

My article, The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins, is now available through Kindle on Amazon, in all the Amazons' Kindle stores. This link is for US Amazon. The price is $9.99. Just visit your Amazon and go to the Kindle store, search for my article. The article runs more than 50 pages! And who were the Gleichens: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (nephew of Queen Victoria) and his family. His marriage to Lady Laura Seymour was considered unequal, and his wife and children were created Countesses and Count Gleichen. A German title but very English people .... Feodora, Edward, Valda and Helena .. all talented and interesting people. True junior royals.

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Sources

The sources consulted for this blog include the New York Times, the Chicago Daily Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and The Times. I also consult books and other materials in my personal library. All the photos come from my personal collection, unless other noted.